Swami Agnivesh: Don't Slam PK Without Even Seeing it

Aamir Khan in a still from PK

"I think it is high time that a film like PK must be welcomed by one and all. It should not be opposed on flimsy grounds by people who haven't even seen the film," Swami Agnivesh said

PK, starring Aamir Khan, should not be opposed on "flimsy" grounds by people who haven't even seen the film, Arya Samaj leader Swami Agnivesh said on Friday.

"I think it is high time that a film like PK must be welcomed by one and all. It should not be opposed on flimsy grounds by people who haven't even seen the film," Swami Agnivesh told reporters here.

PK, which released on December 19, shows Aamir Khan as an alien who is fascinated by India. The film also stars Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani and Sushant Singh Rajput.

The film has been opposed by Hindu rightwing groups including Baba Ramdev and Swami Swaroopanand Shankracharya and well as Muslim cleric Maulana Farangi Mahali. Demonstrations against the film have taken place in Delhi, Agra, Bhopal and Ahmedabad.

Agnivesh also suggested that the film should be made tax-free throughout the country.

"The film is not against anyone's sentiments, therefore it is high time that this film should be made tax free throughout the country, in all the states," he added. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have made it tax-free.

The 75-year-old believes that the film will be the "harbinger of a new socio-cultural renaissance in this country".